New York City officials issued press passes to three supporters of Luigi Mangione ahead of a court hearing this week [1].
The decision has sparked a backlash among media commentators and public officials who argue that granting professional credentials to non-journalists legitimizes those celebrating a violent crime. By providing official access, the city is accused of treating activists as members of the press despite their lack of professional affiliation.
Luigi Mangione is accused of the murder of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson. The individuals receiving the passes, who have been described as "Mangionistas" or "fangirls," are known supporters of the defendant [1]. The credentials were issued by NYC City Hall for a hearing scheduled for this week in a New York court [2].
Fox News host Will Cain criticized the move on May 18, 2026 [2]. "They glorify murder," Cain said [3].
Other critics have been more severe in their assessment of the supporters' motives. Some described the individuals as "ghouls" rather than reporters [4]. An editorial published on AOL.com on May 18, 2026, said that these "dangerous dimwits" should instead be sent to Bellevue for a mental check-up [5].
The controversy centers on the definition of a member of the press and the ethical implications of granting city-sanctioned access to individuals who openly celebrate the death of a corporate executive. The supporters' presence at the hearing, backed by official credentials, is seen by detractors as a tacit endorsement of their views by the city administration [2].
City Hall has not yet provided a detailed justification for why these specific individuals met the criteria for press accreditation [2].
“"They glorify murder."”
This incident highlights a growing tension between traditional journalistic accreditation and the rise of digital activists who claim media status to gain access to high-profile legal proceedings. By granting these passes, NYC City Hall has inadvertently entered a cultural flashpoint regarding the glorification of violence and the standards required to be recognized as a member of the press.
